Application Letter Critique

Blk 123 Geylang Street 4
#02-23 S(534123)
(+65) 9999 8888
pamelateo@yoohoo.com

7 February 2012

Human Resources Manager
20 Ayer Rajah Crescent
#09-19
S(139964)

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to introduce myself and express my interest in working at Addest Technologies as a Science Officer. I came to know about the position through the NUS Career Centre website and the requirements of this job appealed to me immensely.

As a final year Life Sciences undergraduate at the National University of Singapore, I have a mix of interest and qualities which may be relevant to the position that I am applying for. For example, my field of specialisation as a Life Sciences undergraduate is in Environmental Biology. This curriculum is highly flexible and encourages students to think of ideas and innovations to improve various aspects of environmental management. Through my undergraduate university education, I was able to pursue the learning that inspires me to explore possibilities and promote critical-thinking to solve real-world problems.

In addition, the responsibility of a Science Officer includes facilitation of workshops for teachers and pupils. As a Senior Orientation Group Leader in the Faculty of Science Orientation Camp, I have interacted with numerous people from different majors through the execution of team building activities and collective brainstorming. This experience has provided me with numerous opportunities to hone my interpersonal and communication skills. With my enthusiasm and commitment, I hope to make an impact in your organisation in developing creative teaching rubrics to enable learning science an enjoyable process for both students and teachers alike.

I look forward to meeting with you and learning more about the position, your objectives and how I can contribute to the success of your department. I can reached at the number and email address as indicated above and thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely(insert signature)

Pamela Teo


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Company   Addest Technovation Pte Ltd
Job Title   Science Officer
Location   20 Ayer Rajah Crescrent #09-19 S(139964)
Date Posted   Friday, February 03, 2012 
Closing Date   Sunday, March 04, 2012 

Our company Addest Technovation is a Singapore-based technology company that plays a leading role in delivering ICT-based science education. More than 90% of the primary and secondary schools in Singapore, as well as numerous schools in several other countries, have adopted the series of ICT-based science equipment and kits known as the Addestation invented/manufactured by us. These countries include Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

Responsibilities

We offer science officer posts for science graduates who wish to make contributions to primary school and secondary school science education. Our science officers undertake the mission to inculcate a clear mind to THINK, a curiosity to IMAGINE, and a spirit to INNOVATE through the use of the Addestation. In this connection, our science officers faciliate workshops for teachers and pupils, develop contents, design experiments and edit activity manuals. 

Requirements

Candidate must possess a Bachelor's Degree from the Science Faculty.
Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
2 Full-Time positions available. 

http://ejobcentre.nus.edu.sg/Jobs/jobdesc.asp?type=0&eid=4763291&jid=2901956&did=41&its=0&src=8&itn=

Interpersonal Conflict

'Oh my god I really cannot stand her any longer! She's not even consulting us and doing whatever she wants!'

'Calm down Betty. Just bear with it for our sake, and for the sake of the freshmen okay. We are already this close to ending our orientation and this is probably the last time you'll be working with her!'

'Argh I'm so going to explode!'

Hanging out in a cosy Utown hostel at 2am in the morning after a shower, some of the Orientation Group Leaders (OGLs) were recounting the incident that had happened earlier that day in Vivocity. Managing an Orientation Group (OG) of 16 freshmen and 12 OGLs was no easy task, as the leaders had learnt to compromise and deal with issues over the span of the orientation week.

There were a mutual division of tasks among the OGLs where some would be leading the freshmen in the completion of tasks while the others ensured their safety and well-being. However, one of the OGLs, Veronica, stood out among the rest due to her unorthodox way of carrying out tasks. Without informing the other OGLs of her intentions and asking for their opinions, Veronica would lead the freshmen with her preferred approach, usually catching the other OGLs by surprise and much to their anger and frustration. As the freshmens' well-being was of top priority back then, none of the OGLs had pursued the matter and tolerated her actions.

The tipping point finally came when the group had to travel out of campus to Vivocity for the 'Amazing Race'. As there were many tasks at hand to be completed, the orientation group was split into smaller teams to complete the missions within the stipulated time. The meeting point was agreed unanimously at the Kopitiam food court.

While most of the teams had gathered upon completion of their appointed tasks, Veronica's team was nowhere to be seen. Betty immediately phoned Veronica to enquire on her whereabouts.

'Hello Veronica, where are you? Everyone is here except your team. Is everything okay?'

'Come up to the monorail ticketing counter now. There are tourists waiting for us to take a group photo. Hurry quick!'

Furious at the commanding tone of her voice, the lack of courtesy to inform others of her intentions (yet again), and possibly the accumulation of anger over these days, Betty finally snapped. She lashed out her anger at the other OGLs who were just as confused about the twist in the sequence of events, but never really got to confront Veronica despite her rage.

The following days went by with Betty challenging Veronica's intentions in leading the orientation group, much to the confusion of many. Tension was high between them, yet none of them made the move to back down.

After the orientation was over, Betty and Veronica gradually drifted apart into their separate lives and did not communicate much even in OG outings.

If Betty and the other OGLs had voiced out their opinions in response to Veronica's actions at the start of the orientation, such sour feelings may have been avoided. But then again, who knows?